Curiosidades

Florence Eldridge, who plays Fantine, was Fredric March's wife in real life. They were married from 1927 until March's death in 1975.

This is one of only eight properties that have had two different adaptations of the same material both nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. This adaptation of the Victor Hugo novel stands alongside Os Miseráveis (2012). The other pairings were As Quatro Irmãs (1933)/Adoráveis Mulheres (2019), Cleópatra (1934)/Cleópatra (1963), O Grande Motim (1935)/O Grande Motim (1962), Romeu e Julieta (1936)/Romeu e Julieta (1968), Nasce uma Estrela (1937)/Nasce Uma Estrela (2018), Amor, Sublime Amor (1961)/Amor, Sublime Amor (2021), and Sem Novidade no Front (1930)/Nada de Novo no Front (2022). The 1935 "Mutiny on the Bounty," 1961 "West Side Story," and 1930 "All Quiet on the Western Front" are the only three of these nominees to win.

There are numerous changes to the Victor Hugo novel, including: reducing Valjean's prison term to 10 years (1800-1810) instead of 19 (1796-1815), abridging the ordeals of Fantine and completely eliminating her prostitution (probably to conform to Hays Office Code standards), having Cosette learn Valjean's true identity at the start, changing the backstory of Eponine from street urchin to secretary, and stating the students' goal to be law reform rather than overthrow of the government. The streetwise little boy Gavroche, a popular character from the novel, is not shown at all.

Part of the 1832 riots scenes had to be reshot, because some of the extras who played rioters could be seen chewing gum in the dailies.

The last film 20th Century Pictures made before it merged with the Fox Film Corporation to form 20th Century-Fox.